Science
INTENT – Our Vision for Science:
We aim for all children to understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of science, so that they can understand the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. We will support and nurture all children with their understanding of how science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, giving them the ability to recognise the power of rational explanation. We want our children to be excited and curious about the world around them, so that they are inspired to think about science in a meaningful and responsible way throughout their lives.
Our Curriculum reflects the ethos and aims of the school as well as the context from which our children derive. This means that our curriculum provides the necessary building blocks to develop the necessary knowledge and skills, whilst also promoting British Values, healthy lifestyles and mental wellbeing, plus excellent behaviour and attitudes. It is underpinned with a large emphasis on SMSC development, a strong practical outworking for others in line with our Christian ethos, whilst also building character and readiness for the next stages of education and the learning journey beyond.
To find out more about our intent, implementation & impact for Science, please open:
IMPLEMENTATION – Science Planning & Sequencing of Knowledge & Skills:
To find out how Science is planned & sequenced in order that our children can progress through the building blocks for learning, please click below:
Aims of the National Curriculum in Science:
The aim for Science in the national curriculum is to help children develop a sense of excitement and natural curiosity about natural phenomena, whilst giving them the key foundational knowledge they need to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes. The national curriculum for Science aims to ensure that all pupils:
- develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
- develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
- are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
To find out more information about the National Curriculum for this subject & others, please click here.
Learning Experience: What is the breadth of experience provided for our children?
- Quality First teaching: variety of teaching styles, varied stimulus
- Quality Resources: a wide range of scientific equipment, computers, iPad’s, online resources & programmes, schemes of work to support teaching, books
- Visits: e.g. Yorkshire Wildlife Park
- Visitors: e.g. Stardome, Mick Rolley (Scientist)
- Experiences: Stem club (run by a STEM trained facilitator), Science Week, regular use of our local surroundings and Woodland Workshop
Resources: What resources are used to support the teaching & learning of this subject?
- Varied resources to support all Science themes in a practical and engaging way( egg for our Light theme: torches, light boxes, lenses, model of the eye etc.)
- Resources to support children’s measuring and observation (e.g. magnifying glasses, pipettes, measuring cylinders, beakers, funnels etc.)
- A range of books to support each learning theme
- Online resources & programmes
- Published schemes
- Self and teacher assessment materials
- Scientific vocabulary banks.
Links with other Subject Areas: What links are made between this & other subject areas?
Links are made with other subject areas wherever possible & science skills are often enhanced via other subject areas, particularly English, Maths, PSHE, Geography and computing.
IMPACT of our Science Curriculum:
We aim for our teaching of Science to have a great impact on the lives of our children not only academically, but also in laying the foundations for social mobility through the promotion of British Values & SMSC & getting them ready for the next stages of their education.
Readiness for Next Stage of Education: How does this subject prepare our children for the next stage of their educational journey at secondary school & beyond?
We endeavour to ensure that the sequence of content enables our children to progress whilst they are with us but also to provide the building blocks necessary to build on at secondary school and their learning journey beyond. Underlying all of this is our emphasis on Leaning Culture which provides the underlying principles of attitude, resilience and character.
Promotion of Social Mobility: How does this subject promote social mobility?
Our aim is that no child is disadvantaged by their background situation and that, as a school, we provide everything that a child needs so that there are no gaps in scientific learning. As a result, we ensure that children have a broad range of curriculum experiences, free access to a wide variety of resources, regular opportunities to engage in practical scientific investigations and exposure and opportunity to use the correct scientific vocabulary to express themselves.
Promotion of British Values & SMSC: How does this subject promote British Values & SMSC?
Through our rich and varied curriculum, we ensure that our children are well equipped for life in modern Britain and, through subject linkage have an excellent understanding of Democracy, the Rule of Law, Responsibility & Liberty, Mutual Respect plus Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. Our Curriculum is driven by SMSC Development and, as a result, pupils thrive – enjoying their lives, learning and want to make a difference for others.
Assessment: How is Science assessed?
- Teacher assessment
- Formal assessment – end of unit and end of year
- Observations
- Marking
Monitoring & Evaluation: How do we know we have been successful?
- Lesson observations
- Work scrutiny
- Discussions
- Timetables
- PDMs
Long Term Memory: How English impact on long term memory?
- Revision & recapping
- Success Criteria
- Feedback to children
- Repeated recall
- Curriculum Displays
- Links & connections with other subject areas plus old & new knowledge
- Discussion
- Concept maps
